So I was accepted to NMH and Emma Willard and waitlisted at all the other schools I applied to. I am aware these are two very fine schools, but since they were never really first choice (sorry don’t want to seem bratty but…) I am not sure which one I should go to! Can someone help me? And yes, I have gone to revisit/open/envision/whatever they’re called days. Thanks a lot, and I hope this is not a repeating post!
Same here~~ these are also part of the schools that I have been admitted. Can anyone give some insights? Pros? Cons?
Maybe start with a list of what you want from a school and see which one comes closest?
Emma and NMH are very different in a coupla really obvious ways. If you are committed to attending boarding school next year, and you have strong feelings about all girls versus coed, then it’s an easy choice. If you have strong preferences regarding the location, then it’s an easy choice. You say you’ve been on campus visits and whatnot, so I would hope you have had a chance to evaluate both schools.
One thing is for sure, if you are a boy, consider not going to Emma Willard. You will be an extremely URM on campus and may feel like you don’t fit in much of the time.
My DC absolutely loves the idea of the CMAP at NMH and really felt that the teachers and administrators there were friendly, supportive and available to the students. DC also thinks the dining hall was the best we visited 
This thread underscores the importance of only applying to schools which you are truly excited about.
@ab0101 and @GEMTANG how do the schools compare to your local option(s)? Also were you able to connect with any teachers or current or prospective students that you enjoyed? Maybe you can reach out again to those folks to get a better sense of where you might be happy and have good opportunities to pursue things that are of interest to you?
Thank you for sharing your DC’s opinion! That’s also what I really like about NMH. Since I am an international student (impossible to go to the revisit day as well), I still can’t decide which school will fit me better.
@SevenDad Yes. This is the key for all applicants. It can’t be emphasized enough.
Emma Willard has an excellent reputation but if I had to choose I woukd say NMH. I think Coed is more important for high school (than for younger grades) and it is a more nationally known school whereas Emma Willard has a more regional and/ single sex reputation. Good luck with your decisions.
Well everyone on this thread probably knows what I am going to say - my daughter is a senior at NMH and she loves it. I am a big fan of the longer block/semester schedule as well. It has one of the highest percentages of international kids and is not the least bit cliquey. It is widely believed to have the best food too. But I think what really matters is the warmth of the teachers and the students. Overall a friendly, relaxed place with amazing teachers. This week Gloria Steinem spoke to the school and as part of March madness the dorms competed in “Sunk my battleship” which involved putting the canoes into the swimming pool and seeing which dorm could dump enough buckets of water into their competitor’s canoe to sink it. (Lifejackets on) It is just a fun, friendly place. Check out the social streams on instagram and the like for your schools - they can give you a good sense of what the “feel” of a place is. Congrats to you both!
You can’t go wrong with either.
Another NMH parent here. My son liked NMH even before applying, and the deal was sealed after the Envision day. He is very happy there.
If you are still doubtful after Envision day/revisits, you may not be seriously considering these schools because they were your “safety” schools, etc.
Your indecision may come from various reasons. Maybe you are still hurt and focusing on the rejectsion/waitlists.
Do not focus on the two choices. But step back and think about what your reasons were for applying to BS and your long time goal. What attributes your first choice school provide that these two schools do not provide? Prestige? Distance? Are your parents/family happy with either school? Would you rather stay where you are or a local school?
hello everyone, thank you for your comments. I’m sorry that I have been inactive despite being the owner of this thread.
@ab0101 Did you make your decision yet?
@london203 yes, I have decided I will go to Emma. Thank you for asking!
@ab0101 Congratuations! Exciting times.
Yes, I am attending NMH
@GEMTANG that’s great, congratulations!